THREE IDIOMS WITH "LEG"

- pulling your leg – making a joke by tricking another person

- It cost an arm and a leg – it cost a lot of money

- You haven´t got a leg to stand on – you’re in a situation where you can’t prove something / you have no chance of success

* People from different parts of the world wrote sentences using these three idioms. As they are learners of English, we can notice spelling and grammar mistakes in some of them.

Thu Ha, vietnam
I told my parents that I'll study abroad, they were surprised: "That can't be. It cost an arm and a leg. We cannot afford it." They were even more surprised when I said " I am not pulling your leg. I've got a scholarship. I have got a leg to stand on."

Vallin, Brazil
When my daughter was born, everything I’ve bought to look after her, it cost an arm and leg.

Lenka, the Czech republic
I bought a Swiss watch yesterday. It cost me an arm and a leg. Now, I've just found out it's a knock-off. Oh boy, I was ripped off then! Did it really happen? No, I am only pulling your leg.

Su Kyung, Korea
Last week, I told my friend that I got the first place in my class and my friend told me to buy her a meal as I got the first place. I quickly told her that I was just pulling her leg as I knew that it would cost me an arm and a leg to buy a meal for her. However, as my friend wanted to eat something delicious, she told me that I didn't have a leg to stand on.

Shah, Pakistan
Yesterday, I told my friend on phone I have fallen seriously ill and treatment will cost me an arm and a leg and when he asked in which hospital I am I told him I was just pulling his leg.

Asifa, Pakistan
Yesterday I told my friend that I will buy a precious necklace for her but it will really cost an arm and leg for me.

Luis, Colombia (Studying in London)
The London life cost me an arm and a leg.

Maher, Syria
My Dear Father support me buying a new home, so I have to return his money back to him, so that will cost me arm and a leg

Sandra, Hong Kong
My darling bought me a diamond ring. It cost an arm and a leg.

Annistein, China
What shall I say, that it cost me an arm and a leg just to buy a birthday present for my sister? But it's true, as you can see, I have emptied my purse to buy her a Teddy Bear.

Marlen, Cuba
I tell everybody that I am on a diet. That’s a lie, because I eat a lot. I`ve never paid an arm and a leg for nothing. sometimes my son tell me lies, but I can`t punish him because I haven`t had a leg to stand on.

Ferial, USA
most of the time I pull my friends leg because I have a big sense of humor

Rajesch, Germany
My boss told me that the repair of his car cost him an arm and a leg. But he didn't show me the bill. I understand, he's just pulling my leg.

Silva, Albania
I did pull my sister’s leg when I told her I was going to marry and give up my school. I've paid an arm and a leg for my vacation house by the sea.

Neda, Iran
Today in Iran new couples can easily buy a new house.you should be so naive to believe it. I was just pulling your leg.it cost an arm and a leg for new couples to buy a house.

Niraj Pandey, Nepal
Last year when I decided to finance my studies selling the gold medals, which I acheived for my remarkable academic performance over the five years in my college.That was the moment i think i had paid an arm and leg for my higher studies.

Ama Helal, Egypt
When I was young, I fooled my friend into believing that I was part of the scouts team, but I was just trying to pull her leg. Two years ago, I had to undergo some serious surgery and it was too expensive that it cost my parents an arm and a leg. These days I try to convince the court of my plea. Yet, I haven't got a leg to stand on and my solicitor advises me to collect more evidence.

Liang, China
Sometimes, I try to pull someone's leg because I think I can bring laugh to him or her.

Fatiha, Algeria
Last year I made a journey with my friends to a seaside town. In that time I didn't imagine that it will cost me an arm and a leg. Thank god i had money for that i borrow my friend money to go with us but she didn't give it back to me. She told me that i haven't got a land to stand on but then she laughed and said I am pulling your leg sweety.

Polina, Russia
I paied an arm and a leg for my first mobile phone. It kosted 40 000 rubles.

Paola, Italy
I really don't think he is going to Costa Smeralda on holiday. In my opinion, he is pulling our legs as usual. It will cost him an arm and a leg to spend his holidays there and I'm not sure he can afford that... And how about his wife? I saw her yesterday evening and she didn't say nothing about it... What is more she is bound to give birth to their baby one of these days, so he hasn't a leg to stand on. He just loves telling lies to make other people jealous.....

Anna, Poland
hello,I paid an arm and a leg for my first guitar. Actually I couldn't play guitar well but I bought myself very expensive one. Once I told my friends how much I spent on it, they thougt I was pulling their legs.

                                                                          Adapted from www.bbc.co.uk

AN ENGLISH TEST - IF SUDESTE - MG / 2012.1

Text 1: Johnny Depp the Pirate

Johnny Depp is a wonderfully versatile actor. He can play serious roles, but his comic talent is particularly evident in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. He is Jack Sparrow, a character whose mannerisms and style of speech are based on those of the Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith Richards. Depp is American, but his British accent is perfect!

Such is the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise that a fourth film, On Stranger Tides, was released. But Depp admits that initially he had reservations about the idea of doing a fourth Pirates movie.

                                                                                             Speak Up magazine - Issue 288, August 2011.

1. According to the text, Johnny Depp’s character in the film is:

a) a pirate who is finishing his second film.

b) a Rolling Stone guitarist playing a comic role.

c) a pirate with a lot of comic mannerisms.

d) a versatile actor playing a serious role.

e) Keith Richards, an American guitarist.

2. In line 6, the pronoun he refers to:

a) the Pirates of the Caribbean.

b) Stranger Tides.

c) the fourth film.

d) Depp.

e) the success.

3. In the sentence “he can play serious roles” (line 1). The modal verb can expresses the idea of:

a) suggestion.

b) permission.

c) obligation.

d) prohibition.

e) ability.

Text 2: Interview with David Crystal by Jack Scholes

JS: Why has English become a global language?

DC: A language becomes international or global for one reason only – the power of the people who speak it. But of course ‘power’ means different things at different times. In the case of English, the language has spread as a result of a combination of political/military power (the British Empire), scientific/ technological power (the Industrial Revolution), economic power (pounds, and later dollars), and cultural power (broadcasting, travel, films, pop songs, internet…).

JS: What are some of the most important consequences of the fact that English is now a

global language with more non-native speakers than native speakers using it?

DC: Language has no existence apart from the people who speak it. It exists to express their world and their vision of it. Any language which comes to be used globally has to adapt to allow this to happen, in the form of new words, idioms, patterns of discourse, pronunciations and so on. New varieties of English (‘new Englishes’) is the inevitable result.

                               SCHOLES, Jack. Interview with David Crystal. In: New Routes, São Paulo: Disal

4. According to David Crystal, English has become a global language because of:

a) a combination of political, scientific, economic and cultural power.

b) different things at different times.

c) a combination of international languages.

d) the spread of English courses.

e) the British Empire and the American money.

5. Match the words in column 1 according to their meanings in column 2, then choose the CORRECT alternative:

I. reason (line 2)                                  (  ) permit

II. allow (line 12)                                 (  ) occur

III. spread (line 4)                               (  ) motive

IV. happen (line 12)                             (  ) disseminate

a) II, IV, I, III

b) IV, I, III, II

c) I, II, III, IV

d) II, IV, III, I

e) III, IV, II, I

6. By reading the interview we can infer all the following statements, EXCEPT:

a) a language expresses the world and the vision of the people who speak it.

b) a language adapts itself to different speakers.

c) songs, films, internet are some of the reasons English has become globally used.

d) there are more non-native speakers than native speakers using English.

e) people and language are separated in their existence.

ANDERSON SILVA - AN MMA STAR

Anderson Silva (nicknamed The Spider) was born on April 14, 1975 in Curitiba, Brazil.

According to an article in Fight! Magazine, Anderson’s poor mother left him and his older brother with her sister’s family in Curitiba, Brazil when he was only four years old. Silva’s aunt and uncle, therefore, found themselves supporting five children on a police officer’s salary.

His family was unable to afford expensive lessons in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at that time. “When I started out, Jiu-Jitsu was really an elite thing in Brazil, and there was some prejudice towards poorer kids, so I had to learn things on my own,” he told Fight! Magazine. “Some of my neighbors started doing Jiu-Jitsu, so I started watching it, and then started rolling with them. It wasn’t organized training, but it was better than nothing.”

Despite this, Anderson's supportive family did find the money to pay for Tae Kwon Do lessons (age 12). He then moved onto Capoeira before settling on Muay Thai by the age of 16.

Though Anderson Silva indicates that he lost his first bout to Fabricio Marango, this fight does not appear on his official record. Officially, Silva lost his first bout to Luiz Azeredo in a Meca World Vale Tudo event by decision. In his next fight within the same organization, he knocked out Jose Barreto after only 1:06 had gone by in the initial round.

Anderson joined Brazil’s famed Chute Box Academy, the training camp that Wanderlei Silva, amongst many others, had once been a part of. Chute Box had simply been impressed with his raw talent. Along with this, he developed a reasonable ground game while with them and continued on the course to becoming one of the most feared strikers in the game.

Anderson´s MMA career took a nice turn when he won nine straight fights between 2000-03. Along the way, he defeated the well-respected Hayato Sakurai by decision to become the Shooto Middleweight Champion.

He went a mediocre 3-2 while fighting for the PRIDE Fighting Championships. Along the way in 2003, he and Chute Box parted ways over a bitter money argument. Later, Silva heard that Chute Box ordered PRIDE to refrain from giving him any fights or they would pull superstar Wanderlei Silva from their roster. That’s when Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira offered a friendly hand to train with him.

To say that a new and improved Anderson Silva came to the UFC on June 28, 2006, is an understatement. Anderson Silva simply destroyed Chris Leben, a tough fighter, in his UFC debut after only 49 seconds by way of knockout. Then he blew former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin out of the water with his dangerous Muay Thai clinch after only 2:59 had gone by. Next up, he fought his way back from near defeat against Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ace Travis Lutter, only to end up submitting him. An MMA star was born.

UNITOPIA - A GREAT BAND FROM AUSTRALIA

The word unitopia means living together as one in a place of ideal perfection especially in law, government and social conditions.

Unitopia are one of Australian´s most exciting progressive rock bands. Based in Adelaide, they    began their successful career in 2005 with the release of the CD More than a dream. They say that their music is dedicated to a hurting world and they truly believe that world peace and the love of all mankind are attained goals.

Unitopia is a musical adventure comprising the vocal and song writing skills of Mark Trueack, the production, song writing, keyboard & vocal skills of Sean Timms, the guitar & vocal prowess of Matt Williams, the bass and vocal talents of Shireen Khemlani, the combined drum / percussion batteries of Monty Ruggiero and Tim Irrgang and the remarkable multi-instrumentalism of Mike Stewart. 

Unitopia endeavors to draw from the heart and soul of the listener, thought provoking topics such as environmental awareness, political and social upheaval, media misrepresentation, the hectic pace of life and human relationships in a positive and uplifting light. Using a progressive rock framework as a basis for Sean and Mark’s compositions, the pair quickly established a great writing rapport, extending the style to include elements of world, classical, heavy rock and dance. 

Unitopia began when a mutual friend introduced Mark Trueack and Sean Timms after realizing the two had similar musical tastes. In late 1996, the duo began work on a track which was to become "Take Good Care" and a songwriting partnership developed that led to the band's debut album More Than a Dream, which included contributions from conductor/arranger Timothy Sexton and the Adelaide Art Orchestra, Pat Schirippa, Constantine Delo, Bradley Polain and Ian 'Polly' Politis.

Two of their songs that I like very much (among others) are Tesla and Nothing lasts forever:

1 - “Tesla” takes its name from Nikola Tesla, the Croatian inventor who is credited with inventing “Artificial Intelligence”. A very complex man who had trouble relating to people, preferring the company of pigeons. Tela´s history can be mirrored in modern life, with the diminishing of human contact in a world of unlimited wonder and technological advancements. Obsessively compulsive, reclusive and self-alienating, he shut himself off from the rest of the world at times, but was also widely known for his showmanship, presenting his innovations and demonstrations almost like a magician.

Here is the lyrics:

“Like a flash of lightning, in an instant the truth was revealed.” (Nikola Tesla – 1856-1943)

Born at the stroke of midnight
Darkness was filling the skies
Thunder and lightning
The cry of a child
The birth of a mind that would rise

Son of a man of faith he’d find
Blessed with enquiring mind
Troubled and tested
Obsessive, compulsive
Numbers divided by three of a kind

Oh how I loved her
Nothing else mattered
She was my purpose in life
Clear was her message
The light from her eyes
Colorful beams of light

Baubles and jewels, repulsive and crude
Fear of the others unclean
Childhood remembered
Balanced and centered
Order from chaos precisely pursued

Oh how I loved her
Nothing else mattered
She was my purpose in life
Clear was her message
The light from her eyes
Colourful beams of light

Alternating currents and radio waves
Father of the art of Telautomatics
Unusual signals, abnormal life
The ranting and raving of a brilliant fanatic

Machinery driven by a power obtained
From any point in the universe
Fluorescent light globes and cosmic rays
Now let me present to you ‘The Egg of Columbus’

Like a beggar clothed in purple, that people take for king
Are all the theories and formulae, the downward spiraling
Fascinates and dazzles, causing all to go blind
With underlying errors, but a trick of the mind

Confusing metaphysics with pursuit of the truth
Clawing at the rubble for the fountain of youth
Alternating, compensating, re-create the soul
Madman, revolutionary, all parts of the whole

We are, we are…all parts of the whole, all parts of the whole

Showmanship and magic tricks, conjuring the dream
Unending thirst for knowledge carries us downstream
Alienating, complicating, with no self control
All for one and none for all, all parts of the whole

We are, we are…all parts of the whole, all parts of the whole

Oh how I loved her
Nothing else mattered
She was my purpose in life
Clear was her message
The light from her eyes
Colorful beams of light

Where’s the ghost in the machine?
Where’s the life blood for the dream?
Have we missed the opportunity to live forever?
In the next ten thousand years
Will we sow and reap with tears?
Does it matter that we reach each new endeavour? 

2 - “Nothing lasts forever” is Unitopia´s tribute to “the boys from Liverpool” (The Beatles). It is a song that asks the question: “Were things better before all of this wonderful technology and progress came along?”

 And here is the lyrics:

We’re really making up for the dark ages
In today’s enlightened times
Everything running at the speed of light
No time for close contact…no time.

Five hundred years with barely a thought
Labeled a heretic, burned at the stake
Constant derision, judgment and fear
How far have we really come? What difference does it make?

Maybe the boys from Liverpool had it right
When they said ‘Come Together’
But even the fool on a hill could plainly see
That nothing…nothing lasts forever

Avatars won’t hide the scars deep inside
They’re just a cry from the heart
Gentle tears and countless years are wasted…wasted…wasted.
When your life is falling apart

Maybe the boys from Liverpool had it right
When they said ‘Come Together’
But even the fool on a hill could plainly see
That nothing…nothing lasts forever

Nothing…nothing lasts forever  

THE MAN WITH NO FACE

A victim of horrific facial disfigurement - known as "the man with no face" – has been given new hope by the advancement of medical science.
Jose Mestre, from Lisbon, Portugal, has been losing his face to a huge growth for the past 35 years, distorting it out of all recognition - and it's still growing.

One of the pictures above shows Jose aged 14 when the tumor was still small and as he is now.

The tumor on 51-year-old Jose's face is a collection of blood vessels that have expanded, producing a raised red area on the skin.

Jose was born with a strawberry-coloured birthmark on his upper lip. At puberty it began growing, eventually smothering his lips, nose and one of his eyes. Now it is 33cm long and weighs 3kg.
But Jose's religious faith - as a Jehovah's Witness he refuses to accept a blood transfusion - has prevented him from having surgery to remove the growth.
Jose's rare condition was the subject of a Discovery Channel TV documentary 'The Man With No Face', part of the 'My Shocking Story' series.
It reveals how top medical experts in London have now held out hope of helping Jose, a well-known figure around the streets of Lisbon.
A leading British surgeon has offered to treat Jose using ultrasound waves to coagulate the blood before the operation.
This should remove the risk of heavy bleeding - satisfying his religious beliefs about blood transfusions in the process.
Discovery Channel said: "Surrounded by a loving family, it seems incredible that he has not been treated and his face was allowed to grow so big. However, through years of medical misinformation, some misdiagnosis, lack of finances, and reluctance to undergo treatment due to religious beliefs, the growth has continued to obliterate his face."
In this journey of a lifetime he travels by train, via Paris, to Britain, to meet the top experts in London. He goes through a series of tests, consultations, and meets other patients with a similar affliction. In London he also spends time with his sister Guida and the rest of his family, enjoys being a tourist in London, while making the biggest decision of his life.

                                   Above: Jose Mestre and his sister Guida in London.

Jose's dream is to live a long and normal life. Following the showing of the Discovery documentary he continues to adhere to his 'no blood transfusion' religious principles. But he has agreed to go back to the London hospital in 2008, when doctors hope to carry out specialist surgery to begin removing parts of his tumor, without the need for blood transfusions.

                                                            Adapted from: thatsweird.net

UEMA 2012 - A VERY EASY TEST

Not far from the tree

                                                        By Mariana de Viveiros

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. So, the son of a circus performer is likely to be also an artist himself. 12-year-old Matheus Felipe Jesus Silva was born in the circus. That is, ever since he was a baby, he’s lived in a trailer (a mobile home pulled by a car or a truck). His mother is a ballet dancer at CircoSpacial, where Matheus himself is also a performer since the age of 3.
He started doing presentations with clowns and nowadays he is a trapeze artist (just like his dad, who works in Europe), equilibrist and acrobat.
As the circus travels all over Brazil, Matheus changes schools very often. He studies in the morning, has rehearsals in the afternoon and, at weekends, he performs in the circus ring.
He says that this routine doesn’t disturb his studies and he wants to graduate in Physical Education. “But I want to work in the circus forever.” On account of the mobility of his life and his outgoing nature, Matheus makes new friends wherever he goes and keeps in touch with them through the internet. “Kids think that I have a peculiar way of life and come to the circus to watch my show,” he adds.
On his days off, he likes to go to the movies, to the mall and to shows. Read on to see his favorite film, book, CD and website.
                                                                                    Revista TAM Kids, julho/agosto 2011.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ACCORDING TO THE TEXT
1. One may say that Matheus
a) spends most of his time watching films and reading books.
b) will become the owner of the circus in a vey short future.
c) has vowed to act just like his father.
d) has no longer the wish of working as a circus performer in the future.
e) is an easy-going guy and gets acquainted well with others.

2. Which means of communication does Matheus usually use to get in touch with his pals?
a) Mail.
b) Phone.
c) Internet.
d) Post-office.
e) Letters.

3. How long has Matheus been working at the CircoSpacial?
a) For 9 years.
b) For 3 years.
c) For 12 years.
d) Since he was born.
e) Since his mother has delivered him.

4. One can relate ...”mobility of his life...” to the words
a) clowns and kids.
b) trucks and trailers.
c) circus and ballet dancers.
d) cars and lack of routine.
e) movies and new friends.

5. Which option pictures Matheus’ leisure?
a) mall x dancing.
b) presentation x studies.
c) sports x internet.
d) movies x shows.
e) book x circus ring.

6. What does Matheus’ father do for a living?
a) An acrobat.
b) An equilibrist.
c) A trapeze artist.
d) A clown.
e) A trailer driver.

7. The proverb “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is equivalent in Portuguese to option
a) “O que não é visto, não é lembrado”.
b) “Pau que nasce torto, morre torto”.
c) “Elecaiu de maduro”.
d) “Quem nasce para maçã, nunca chega a uva”.
e) “Filho de peixe, peixinho é” .

8. The morphological function of the word “studies” as in
I-“He studies in the morning”
II-“...this routine doesn’t disturb his studies...”
is, respectively,
a) adverb/verb.
b) noun/verb.
c) adjective/adverb.
d) verb/noun.
e) adverb/noun.

NEM WAS FINALLY ARRESTED! WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS?

On November 10th, Rio police arrested Antonio Francisco Bomfim Lopes, alias Nem, the drug lord of Rocinha, the city's biggest slum as they get ready to take control of the area from drug traffickers, in anticipation of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.
Wednesday at dawn, about 50 men from the military police's Special Forces blocked a road leading to the Rocinha slum, controlled by drug traffickers for 30 years, to search all incoming vehicles.
All in preparation for pacification operation expected this coming weekend. Two other drug traffickers were also arrested: "Peixe" and "Coelho," the latter being the right-hand man of Nem.
Built on a steep hillside overlooking the "Marvelous City" and located between two wealthy neighborhoods, Rocinha is home to 150,000 people and is a drug trafficking bastion. Police said Rocinha will become the 19th favela to be ridden of traffickers who have been in control for the past 30 years.
Since 2008, authorities in Rio, which has one of the highest murder rates in the country, have been in a race to restore security in the city before the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics which Brazil will host.
Local press reports and some residents said police were expected to make their move Sunday. Their aim, according to the newspaper O Dia, was to "snuff out drug trafficking" before the assault by security forces backed by commandos and naval armored vehicles.
In another sign that the police assault was imminent, local drug baron Nem, on Sunday gave a farewell party and imposed a curfew on Rocinha.
Police had offered a 2,900-dollar-reward for information leading to the capture of Nem, who reportedly had to be treated at a local health clinic after he drank liquor mixed with ecstasy at Sunday's farewell party.
Endemic and chronic urban violence has long sullied the image of Rio, where more than 1.5 million people (a third of the city's population) live in 1,000 slums spread throughout the city.
But what the Brazilian population really wants is the answer for the following question: When will the corrupt policemen be arrested?

Vocabulary:
alias – vulgo
slum – favela
dawn – madrugada
the latter – o segundo (dentre dois elementos citados)
the right-hand man – o braço direito (homem de confiança)
steep hillside – encosta íngreme
wealthy neighborhooods – bairros ricos
bastion – baluarte, fortaleza
aim – objetivo
snuff out – extinguir
assault – ataque
farewell - despedida
curfew – toque de recolher
sullied – manchou, manchado (a imagem)
spread – espalhadas
throughout – por todo (a)

MATISYAHU

Matthew Paul Miller (born June 30, 1979), better known by his Hebrew name and stage name Matisyahu, is an American Jewish reggae musician. He was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania and grew up in White Plains, New York. When he was in high school he returned to religious observance following a trip to Israel. Upon his return to the U.S., he left school and starting reggae and hip-hop. When he was 19, he moved to New York and enrolled in university at the New School for Social Research and also started attending a synagogue regularly. After meeting with a rabbi, he also decided to change his name to Matisyahu. Since then he divides his time between studying in a yeshiva and performing in New York clubs.

Matisyahu's music, which is a mix of influences ranging from Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach to Bob Marley, can be described as Hasidic reggae that deals mainly with faith in God and brotherhood among people (a characteristic in reggae music of all kinds). Matisyahu frequently deals in his songs with the personal change he underwent and his life as a religious Jew in a modern society.


Here is one of his songs:


And here is the lyrics:
 
One Day
 
Sometimes I lay
under the moon
and thank God I'm breathing
and pray

Don't take me soon
cause I'm here for a reason
Sometimes in my tears I drown
but I never let it get me down
So my negativity surrounds
I know some day it'll all turn around
because

All my live I've been waiting for
I've been praying for
for the people to say
that we dont wanna fight no more
they'll be no more wars
that our children will play
one day

It's not about
win or loose
because we all lose
when they feed on the souls of the innocent
blood drenched pain
keep on moving though the water's staging
in this maze you can lose your way (your way)
it might drive you crazy but dont let it faze you no way (no way)

Sometimes in my tears I drown
but I never let it get me down
so my negativity surrounds
I know some day it'll all turn around
because
All my live I've been waiting for
I've been praying for
for the people to say
that we dont wanna fight no more
they'll be no more wars
that our children will play

one day
one day this all will change
treat poeple the same
stop with the violence
down the the pain
one day we'll all be free

and proud to be
under the same
singing songs of freedom

one day
all my live I've been waiting for
I've been praying for
for the people to say
that we don't wanna fight no more
they'll be no more wars
and our children will play

one day
ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh

Here´s another great song: King without a crown

WEIRD LAWS

The law system in the world dates back to ancient Egypt, in 300 BC. In earlier times, the word of the king/ruler was considered as law. Today, laws are formed after a number of discussions and public opinion surveys, and are lengthy procedures. Even then, we come across some strange laws and rules that leave us quite surprised and bemused. Here are some of them:

1. In Kentucky, US, every citizen is required by law to take a bath at least once a year.

2. In Saudi Arabia, a woman reportedly may divorce her husband if he does not keep her supplied with coffee.

3. In Miami, it is forbidden to imitate an animal.

4. Until the 1960's men with long hair were not allowed to enter Disneyland.

5. Tipping at a restaurant in Iceland is considered an insult.

6. The penalty for masturbation in Indonesia is decapitation.

7. Moscow weathermen can be fined for inaccurate weather forecasting!

8. It is illegal to own a red car in Shanghai, China.

9. It is illegal to purchase or consume Jack Daniel's Whiskey in the town in which it is produced!

10. It is illegal to be a prostitute in Siena, Italy, if her name is Mary.

11. In West Virginia if you run over an animal, you can legally take it home and cook it for dinner!

12. In Singapore, it is illegal to sell or own chewing gum.

13. In San Salvador, drunk drivers can be punished by death before a firing squad.

14. In France, it is legal to marry a dead person!

15. In Cleveland, Ohio it is illegal to catch mice without a hunting license.

16. In Bangladesh, kids as young as 15 can be jailed for cheating on their finals!

17. In ancient England a person could not have sex unless s/he had consent of the King.

18. In 1659, it was illegal to celebrate Christmas in Massachusetts.

19. Dueling is legal in Paraguay, as long as both parties are registered blood donors.

20. According to U.S. laws, a beer commercial can never show a person actually drinking beer.